Filing tray



N. S. WELK FILING TRAY Dec. 21,v 1521. 1,653,937

Filed Feb. 25. 1926 Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED J STATE-S PATENT OFFICE.

NELSON S. WELK, OF ATHENS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE MCBEE BINDER CO., OF ATHENS,

OHIO, A coRronATIoN OF OHIO.

FILING TR Y.

Application filed February 25, 1926. Serial No. 90,476.

This invention relates to filing trays for cards and like matter, and has particular reference to means for retaining such cards in proper filed position. A V

It an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable clamping plate, to be used in conjunction with a follower plate, such as that disclosed in my copending ap* plication, Serial Number 90,475, filed Feb.

Anobject of the invention is the provision of a support for the clamping plate, whereby suchplate is mounted to swing in a vertical plane.

provision of HIGCllElniSDTfOl forcing. said plate into clamping position, and retaining the same against accidental movement.

Another object is the provision of such 0 a structure of extremely simple construction, which is strong, durable and highly convenient in use.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of tray embodying the invention, c

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section therethrough, and, 1

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping plate and associated support removed from the tray.

Referring specifically tothe drawings,the numeral designates the front wall of the tray, 11 theside wall and 12 the rear wall. The walls, 10, 11 and 12, are formed from a single sheet of suitably stiff. sheet metal, bent upon itself at its upper edges, as indicated at 13, to provide a reinforced and smooth contacting surface. The walls are further reinforced by asubstantially rigid band lei, extending therearound, adjacent the upper edges, and projectingslightly beyond the front and rear walls 10 and 12. A bottom 15 is suitably, rigidly attached-to the side and end walls 1.0, 11 and 12. The on posite side of the trayis formed open and is normally closed by a swinging door, desig nated as a whole by the numeral 16. The

structure of the door 16 has been fully disclosed in my application above identified.

The ends 10 and 12, adjacent such opening,

. a filing are further reinforced by vertical corner posts 17, welded or otherwise attached thereto. The front end 10 is provided with a handle 18 and an open card-pocket 19.

It desirable that means he provided to A further object of the invention is the prevent distortion of the tray due to the door opening, and to overcome this objection, a strip 20 is Welded or=otherwise attached to the outer surface of the door, in alignment with, the band, 1 1:, and extending beyond the endslof the doorfto form in effect a continuation of the band 14,-. The projecting ends of" the strip 20 are provided with openings for the reception of pins 21, carried by the corner posts 17. It will thus be seenthat when the door is in the closed position, the pins will engage the openings of the strip, consequently, any stress upon the ends of the tray will be supported by the strip 20.

It will be observed from the description so far given that an exceptionally strong and convenient file tray has been provided. The drop side provides a means of ready access to the cards in the file and enables the operator to slide a card outwardly for further reference. The engagement of-the strip20 with the pins21 will avoid any distortion of the tray when; in use, due to the pressure exerted therein by theclamping plate, to be described. v

The numeral 22 designates a substantially -U-shaped track, extending longitudinally of the tray for its entire length, and bolted as shown or otherwise rigidly attached to the bottom thereof. This track is providedwith inturned flanges23, to be engaged by the carriage Qtof a follower 25. The {follower and associated partshave been described and claimed in detail in my covpending application, Serial Number 90,477,, filed on Feb. 25,1926. i

In order to provide a means'of retaining the filed cards in compact and upright position, a compression or clamping plate has been provided in the forward end of the tray. This plate is designated by the numeral 26,.and is adapted to swing from a vertical or clamping position, forwardly to a position for relieving pressure on the cards. .Theplate 26 is hingedly supported as 2113 27, to thehorizontal flange 28 0f a sub,-

stantially L-shaped supporting member 29. 1 Themember 29 extends transversely of the tray, and has its vertical wall .30 bolted-or otherwise rigidly attached to the front-wall of the tray, as shown. The materialof the member 29 is bent inwardly at its top and upon itself, for forming a horizontal The numeral 32designates anoperating Li (J the terms or lever for controlling the pressure of the plate fill. This lever isplvotally mounted as at -;l23, adjacent the lower end of the plate, and

adapted for swinging movement across ,the, face of such plate. A cmnhined Wear strip and limiting means El i is secured to theplate 26, and this striplras inturned ends 651 0.1

limiting the swinging movement of the lever 32in either direction "The lever 32 is provided vith an L-shaped pivot member 36, carrying a 131V0l1 pin 37. A correspondmp,

zontal planeyduetotl e sivinging oi' the lever 32 about its pivot. It 'lvill thus be seen that movement of thelevelin the direction of the arrow, (Fig. 3) will resultin thewplate being moved forwardly or to the release position, asshown in dotted lines, (Fig.2). Movement of the lever in the oppositedirection will result in the plate being moved to the clamping position, and Whenin such position, the link 39 will have moved to a past center position, consequently, the plate 26 will be retained in clamping position, against accidental release by the pressure of the cards. I e The operationof the device is as follows: Assuming that the tray contains filed matter such as cards, and thatthe parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 1. It is new desired to inspect the cards, and to make thispossible, the lever 32 is swungover to the left, therebyreleasing the clamping plateflZfi. The ifolloiverplatel25 is then reeased and moved rearwardly. It is now ossible to inspectthe cards, as all pressure has been relievedtherefrom. i l

Itwill loe ohservedfrom the foregoing that anextremely si1nple and eliicientmeans has been provided for compressing or'cla upinp the liled matter in proper positionwilhinthe tray. The support for the clamping plat-e rigidly carried by the front wall of the tray, and any; unusual pressure uponlhe clamping plate \vill be'distrilniled throughout the tray itself. The releasingfor operating meansl'or the tray isiexceptiomilly Silllllllt! and requires but a singleshifting, moveli'ient of the lever to move the plate ii the requireddirection. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction set forth but thatit includes withinits purview Whatever changes fairly come Within either the spirit or" the appended claims. "1 w Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patentofthe United States, is:

l. A tray of the character described, como prisingia rectangular sheet-metal body poruncut, pivot pm 238 is carr ed by thei'lange 3l,=and

'ing. said clamping plate lo said support, said support adaptedto he bolted to the front Wall of said body portion, means for iorcing said plate into clamping position, and for retaining it. in clamped position after adjustment and against accidental move 2. A filingftray of the character described, comprising a rectangular sheet'nietal body portion, open at its top,*a follower and a clamping plate mounted therein, the mounting means for said clamping plate coinprising asupport, means for hingmg said clamp ing plate tolsaid support for vertical swinging movement toward and from saidl'oh lower, an operating lever, and, uleansassociated with said operating lewigimd sailil simport, for moving said clamping plate into, and retaining it in, clamped position.

3. A filing tray of the character described, comprising a rectangular body portion, formed open at its top, a clamping plate mounted therein, the means for mounting, said clamping plat-e comprising a support and means for hinging' said clanlpillg plate tosaid support, an operating lever pivoted upon said clamping plate, means for liuiiting the swinging movement of said operatinglever, a link connecting said operating lever andsaid support, said lever and said link, when in one position, adapted to lock said claimpingplate in clamping position against accidental movement, and when moved tothe opposite position, adapted to move said plate to the releaseposition.

4. A filing tray of the character described,

comprising a rectangular body portion, open at its top, a claml'iingl plate therein, a sup port for said clamping plate, hinge elements connecting said: platoi with said support, means r01"- rigidly securing said support \vithin sa-id, tray, an operating lever pivoted to said. clamping plate, stopmcans for lim iting the movmnent oi the o 'ieraiing lever in either direction, pivotelements carried by 5. A iilingt-rayof the character descrilaed, comprising a rectangular sheet-metal body portion, open at its top, a clamping plate mounted therein, for Everticalfl swinging movement, the mounting means comprising a support formed of substantially L-shape,

and provided with an overturned flange at itsup perl edge, said support adapted to he til) till

ltlll clamped to the forward Wall of the body portion, an operating lever pivoted to said clamping plate for lateral swinging move ment, pivot elements carried by said operating lever and the overturned flange of the support, a link engaging said pivot elements, said lever, When moved to one position, adapted to move said link to a past-center position for locking the plate in clamping position against accidental movement, said lever, When moved to the opposite position, adapted to retract the plate to the released position, and means for limiting the swinging movement of the lever.

6. A filing tray of the character described, comprising a rectangular body portion open at its top, a clamping plate therein, a support for said clamping plate, hinge elements connecting said clamping plate With said support, said support formed of substan- Wall adapted to be bolted to the front Wall of the body portion, an operating lever for said plate, link means connecting said operating lever with said reinforced flange,

whereby said plate may be moved to the clamping position, and means. for limiting the swinging movement of sald lever.

NELSON S. WELK. 

